Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), another name for long COVID, is the term used to describe the persistent health problems that some people have weeks, months, or even years after they recover from the acute phase of COVID-19. As experts work to identify its origins and provide efficient treatment choices, this ailment has attracted a lot of interest.
Long COVID: What is it?
A broad range of symptoms that appear or continue after the original COVID-19 infection has cleared up are known as long-term COVID. People with long-lasting COVID-19 may have health issues that disrupt their everyday lives for months, even though the acute phase usually lasts two to four weeks.
Key Points:
- No matter how severe the original infection was, long-term COVID may still happen.
- A wide range of people are impacted by it, including those who had no symptoms or very minor ones.
- Long-term COVID may occur in both adults and children.
Signs of Prolonged COVID
Long-term COVID symptoms may impact many organ systems and vary greatly.
Typical signs and symptoms include:
Symptoms in the body
- Persistent tiredness, even after little mental or physical activity (post-exertional malaise), is called fatigue.
- Breathing difficulties, particularly while exerting oneself, are referred to as shortness of breath.
- Chest Pain: Tightness or discomfort in the chest.
- Joint and Muscle Pain: Stiffness and pains all over.
- Headaches: Prolonged or frequent headaches.
Symptoms of Neurology
Brain fog is the inability to focus, remember, or perform cognitive activities.
Vertigo or dizziness: Feeling shaky or dizzy.
Sleep disorders include disturbed sleep patterns or insomnia.
Loss of Taste or Smell: Ageusia (loss of taste) or persistent anosmia (loss of smell).
Symptoms of the mind
Emotional anguish brought on by a protracted sickness or uncertainty is known as anxiety and depression.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Especially in those with severe COVID-19.
Symptoms of the Heart
An irregular or fast heartbeat is known as palpitations.
POTS, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, is characterized by an elevated heart rate while standing.
Additional Symptoms
- loss of hair.
- ongoing fever.
- digestive problems such diarrhea, nausea, or discomfort in the abdomen.
Reasons for Prolonged COVID
Although the precise processes of prolonged COVID remain unclear, a number of suggestions have been proposed:
Viral Persistence: The virus may remain in the body in small amounts and continue to cause an immunological reaction.
Immune System Dysregulation: Chronic inflammation may result from an overreactive or malfunctioning immune response in some people.
Organ Damage: Prolonged symptoms may result from severe COVID-19 infections that harm the heart, lungs, or other organs.
Microclots and Vascular Damage: The transport of oxygen to tissues may be hampered by blood microclots and blood vessel damage.
Neurological Impact: The virus may have a direct or indirect impact on the neurological system and brain, leading to symptoms including headaches and fogginess.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: COVID-19 may affect cellular energy production, which might lead to exhaustion and post-exercise indigestion.
Risk Elements for Prolonged COVID
Although anybody may have COVID, certain groups are more vulnerable than others:
Women: Compared to males, women are more likely to experience prolonged COVID symptoms.
Older Adults: Being older makes people more vulnerable, especially if they had serious illnesses at first.
Preexisting Conditions: Prolonged symptoms are more common in those with long-term conditions including diabetes, asthma, or autoimmune diseases.
Severity of Initial Infection: Long-term consequences are more likely to occur in severe infections that need hospitalization or intensive care unit treatment.
Unvaccinated People: Research indicates that immunization lowers the risk of long-term COVID.
Long COVID diagnosis
Because extended COVID has a broad variety of symptoms and no particular testing, diagnosing it may be difficult. Frequently, diagnosis entails:
Review of Medical History: Knowing the chronology of symptoms and the first COVID-19 infection.
Assessing the kind, frequency, and intensity of symptoms is known as “symptom assessment.”
Exclusion of Other Conditions: Disqualifying other illnesses that could be the cause of the symptoms.
Referrals to cardiologists, pulmonologists, or neurologists for focused assessments are known as specialist consultations.
Options for Long-Term COVID Treatment
Although there isn’t a treatment for long-term COVID, there are a few strategies that may help control symptoms:
1. Multidisciplinary Care:
To treat various symptoms, a team of experts is often needed for long-term COVID, such as neurologists for brain fog and pulmonologists for breathing problems.
2. Symptom Management:
Fatigue: Energy-saving and pacing strategies to prevent post-exercise malaise.
Breathing Problems: Programs for pulmonary rehabilitation to enhance lung function.
Pain: Physical treatment for joint and muscular pain or medications such as NSAIDs.
3. Drugs:
Anticoagulants: For those who have problems clotting.
Anti-inflammatory medications: To treat persistent inflammation.
Anxiolytics or antidepressants: For mental health issues including anxiety or depression.
4. Lifestyle Changes:
Diet: Antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory meals may help lessen symptoms.
Exercise: To increase strength and endurance, engage in gradual, supervised physical exercise.
Establishing a regular sleep schedule to fight insomnia is known as sleep hygiene.
5. Mental Health Support: The psychological effects of prolonged COVID may be managed with counseling or treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
6. Vaccination: Although the exact causes are still unknown, vaccination has shown promise in easing symptoms for certain chronic COVID patients.
Continued Study and Future Prospects
Long COVID is being extensively studied by the international scientific community in an effort to identify its causes and provide focused therapies. Finding biomarkers to enhance diagnosis is one of the most promising research fields.
looking into antiviral medications to combat the persistence of viruses.
creating treatments that control the immune system.
Long-term COVID is also being prioritized as a serious public health issue by governments and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), which makes sure funds are set aside for treatment and research.
FAQs Regarding Extended COVID
1. What is the duration of COVID-19?
The length of time varies. While some individuals get well in a few months, others could still have symptoms for more than a year.
2. Can kids have long-term COVID?
Long COVID in children is possible, however it seems to occur less often than in adults.
3. Is long-term COVID prevented by vaccination?
Although it doesn’t completely eradicate it, vaccination greatly lowers the likelihood of long-term COVID.
4. Is the COVID-19 virus contagious?
Long-term COVID is not communicable. It happens after the infection’s acute phase is over.
5. Is there a particular test for long-term COVID?
There aren’t any particular diagnostic procedures for extended COVID at the moment. Symptoms and medical history are used to make the diagnosis.
6. Do protracted COVID symptoms become worse with time?
Indeed, symptoms may change over time, and stress on the body or mind can cause relapses in some people.
7. Is post-viral syndrome the same as long-term COVID?
Long COVID is distinct from post-viral syndrome because of its connection to SARS-CoV-2.
8. Can a change in lifestyle assist with long-term COVID?
Yes, some symptoms may be reduced with a healthy diet, moderate exercise, and stress reduction.
9. Do long-term COVID patients have access to support groups?
Indeed, there are a lot of in-person and online support groups that provide community and resources to those with long-term COVID.
10. How should I respond if I think I may have long-term COVID?
For a thorough assessment, speak with a healthcare professional and go over symptom management techniques.